The international football federation FIFA has officially confirmed a package of new rules that will be applied already at the 2026 World Cup.
It is about the changes that should be made speed up the gamereduce delays and give additional powers to VAR technology.
Football has been changing under the influence of technology for years, and FIFA is now going one step further. A new set of rules is primarily aimed at suppressing the so-called stealing timewhich is an increasingly common topic among fans, coaches and referees in recent seasons.
According to the approved rules, a player leaving the game will have only 10 seconds to leave the field. If he does not do so within the given time, his substitute will not be allowed to enter immediately, but will have to wait one minute before entering the pitch.
The changes also apply to the performance of the car. The side throw will have to be done within five secondsotherwise the ball will go to the opposing team.
Another important news concerns players receiving medical assistance. After the intervention of the medical staff, he will have to leave the game and wait one minute before returning to the field.
Particular attention was drawn to the decision that in the future VAR can also intervene in second yellow cards, as well as in corner decisions, but only in case of obvious referee error. Until now, the video system could only react to direct red cards, backfields, penalties and situations related to a goal.
Many fans welcome this direction because they believe that the matches will be more dynamic, with fewer interruptions and less room for tactics. Stricter rules, advocates of the changes believe, could be in favor of teams that want to play offensively and keep a high tempo.
On the other hand, part of the football public warns that such an approach would could lead to excessive punishment and additionally burden the judges. Any assessment of whether a player intentionally delayed a substitution or take-out could directly affect the course of the match.
Because of this, it is expected that in the months leading up to the tournament, FIFA will further educate referees so that the application of the new rules is as uniform as possible. VAR rooms will also be under the magnifying glasswhich will now have an even more important role in making decisions that can decide even the biggest matches of the championship.
While some claim that football loses part of its spontaneity and tradition, FIFA says that the goal is clear – more active games, fewer interruptions and more attractive matches for spectators around the world.
Will this reform really bring the desired effect or will it open up new controversial issues, will show 2026 World Cupwhen players, referees and fans will feel all the consequences of these changes for the first time on the biggest stage, reports Tportal.hr.
(www.jabuka.tv | Photo: X)
